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Dynamics of circulating lipoproteins and lipids in Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus lonnbergi) during the breeding cycle

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Abstract

In central-place foragers the breeding cycle is often the period with the highest energy cost, where dietary and stored lipids play a key role. Lipids are mobilized through blood lipoproteins providing fuel to tissues. Thus, the use of food and endogenous resources with high-energy fats is important to sustain individuals’ nutritional demands. To evaluate the physiological components associated to energetic demands and their variation regarding life history processes, we analysed the plasma circulating lipoprotein levels, the lipid classes and fatty acid (FA) composition in Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus lonnbergi) in breeding stages with different energy requirements: incubation (In), early rearing (Er) and late rearing (Lr). We expected to find differences according to the energy demands of each stage and the sex. The level of Very Low Density lipoproteins was affected by the sex and the breeding stage, whereas Low Density lipoproteins only by the stage. Total plasma lipid content and circulating lipid classes were invariant among the stages studied; however, differences in total plasma FA and monounsaturated FA (oleic and nervonic) abundances were observed among stages. Besides, a decrease in the n-3:n-6 ratio was observed towards the Lr stage. The differences found in lipoproteins may be linked to changes in the energy demands throughout the breeding period. Moreover, the variation observed in FA abundance and n-3:n-6 ratio may be related to a preferential mobilization of FA from stores as fuel or, possibly, to a differential use of the available food resources.

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Acknowledgements

This work was made possible thanks to National Office of the Antarctic (DNA) and Argentine Antarctic Institute (IAA) which provided logistical support to carry out the fieldwork at Potter Peninsula, Isla 25 de Mayo/ King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. This work was supported by Proyecto de Investigación Plurianual (PIP- CONICET n° 0158) and Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica and Instituto Antártico Argentino (PICTA-2010-0080) (To DM), and partially supported by (PICT-2014-3323) (to AEI). Special thanks to Facundo Xavier Palacio for the help with statistical analysis and to Rosana del Cid for the help with manuscript writing and grammatical edition, as well as to the Editor and reviewers for their interesting and helpful critics for the improvement of the manuscript.

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AEI was involved in the design of the fieldwork activities, performed experiments and prepared the manuscript, PMY and HH were involved in experimental design of with lipid analysis and provided reactives, FMN and BG were involved in lipoprotein analysis, DM and MGG were involved in the design and founding of project, conducted the fieldwork activities and collaborated with the edition of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to A. E. Ibañez.

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The permit to carry out the fieldwork for this work was given by National Office of the Antarctic (DNA). All applicable international, national, and institutional guidelines for sampling, care, and experimental use of animals for the study were followed as established by the Article III, Annex II of the Madrid Protocol, Law 24.216 (Taking, Harmful Intrusion and Introduction of Species) within the framework of the projects evaluated by the Environment Office of the Argentine Antarctic Institute (IAA) and DNA.

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Ibañez, A.E., Pasquevich, M.Y., Machulsky, N.F. et al. Dynamics of circulating lipoproteins and lipids in Brown Skua (Stercorarius antarcticus lonnbergi) during the breeding cycle. Polar Biol 44, 305–314 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-020-02793-1

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